Mayor Cherelle L. Parker

10/15/2026

Some of the best things we accomplish in Philadelphia happen when people who love this city come together to make a difference. That’s why it was so special to celebrate 15 years of the IBX Foundation alongside Joan and Dan Hilferty.

Dan has been an extraordinary partner in moving Philadelphia forward, bringing people together around big ideas and major opportunities for our city, including his leadership with FIFA World Cup 26 Philadelphia™ and the tremendous success of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. I’m grateful for his friendship, his collaborative spirit, and his unwavering commitment to Philadelphia.

Congratulations to Joan and Dan on their Founders Circle Society honors! And my thanks to Kelly Munson, Steve Fera, Heather Major and the entire Independence Blue Cross Foundation team for continuing to invest in healthier, stronger communities across our region.

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Dan and Joan Hilferty
Tam Edwards
Charles Pizzi
Charisse Lillie
Sharmain Matlock Turner
Peter Grollman
Urban Affairs Coalition
Heather Major
Kelly Munson
Lorina Marshall Blake

10/10/2026

Today, with a heavy heart, I announce the death of Philadelphia Police Department Officer Shane Seiber. He gave his life in service to the people of our city.

Officer Seiber was 40 years old and leaves behind his wife and two young children, as well as his parents, siblings, colleagues and friends.

My deepest condolences are with everyone who loved him. We are keeping his fellow officers in the 19th District close in our hearts as they grieve this loss.

In recognition of Officer Seiber’s service, I have directed that all flags be lowered to half-staff immediately

To Officer Seiber’s family, please know that Philadelphia grieves with you and will stand with you in the days ahead.

10/10/2026

Earlier today, two Philadelphia Police Department officers from the 19th District were shot in the line of duty in West Philadelphia. 
 
Both officers were badly wounded. They are both in surgery at Penn Presbyterian Medical Center. 
 
Our prayers are with the Officers, their families, and every Philadelphia Police Officer. 
 
When our Police Officers leave their homes every day to go to work, they literally do not know whether — or when — they are coming home.
 
They put themselves in harm’s way every day, and put their lives on the line — to protect the People of Philadelphia. 
 
These Officers are husbands and wives, sons and daughters, fathers and mothers, sisters and brothers.
 
They deserve our prayers and our support.
 
I also want to thank all of the first responders and the doctors, nurses and medical personnel at Penn Presbyterian. They have our gratitude.

I am a praying Mayor.
 
God bless these officers, and God bless the City of Philadelphia.

10/08/2026

Philadelphia, I want to make sure you’re ready to make your voice heard! 🗳

The General Election is right around the corner, and Monday, October 19 is the deadline to register to vote or update your information.

Don’t wait until the last day! It only takes a few minutes with Philadelphia City Commissioners.

✅ Visit vote.phila.gov and get registered today!

10/07/2026

According to UNCF, HBCUs are just 3% of U.S. higher education institutions, but produce 16% of Black STEM degrees and 20% of Black women with STEM degrees. That is impact.

And Philadelphia is definitely a Divine Nine town. ✊🏾🎓🏾

Those are just two reasons we are bringing back One Philly HBCU Week for a second year, Oct. 26–31.

Join us all week for college and career opportunities, the Opportunity Fair, Divine Nine events, HBCU football, Battle of the Bands and more.

🎟️ Get your game tickets at Ticketmaster.
🛍️ Philadelphia retail vendors can still apply with PHLCommerce

Thank you to our corporate and community partners, National Pan-Hellenic Council, and the Divine Nine: Αlpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.® Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority,Inc®️, Kappa Alpha Psi® Fraternity, Omega Psi Phi® Fraternity, Delta Sigma Theta - Official, Phi Beta Sigma, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated, Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc., Iota Phi Theta® Fraternity Inc, for your support in making One Philly HBCU Week a reality.

Come celebrate. Come connect. Be part of One Philly HBCU Week 2026.

10/06/2026

10/06/2026

Mayor Cherelle L. Parker will join Philadelphia Eagles leadership, City officials, and community partners to announce details for One Philly HBCU Week 2026, taking place October 26–31, 2026.

The announcement will highlight the week’s events, partnerships, and opportunities to celebrate HBCU culture, education, service, and community across Philadelphia.

The week will feature music, culture, community programming and HBCU football, culminating in two matchups at Lincoln Financial Field.

10/03/2026

Being with Philadelphians who braved last Saturday’s storm to attend our fourth annual PHDC Housing Fair took me back to the pride my family felt when we got our home on Penfield Street.

Some came to learn what programs were available. Others came ready to talk with housing counselors, city departments, lenders and experts about buying, renting, repairing or remaining in a home. That desire is what powers my historic H.O.M.E. plan, a $2 billion investment in 30,000 homes across Philadelphia.

Thank you to our nearly 100 exhibitors and our title sponsor, . Thank you to , which answered the call from then-Council President four years ago and has hosted this fair ever since.

And thank you to Jessie Lawrence, Angela Brooks, David Thomas, Angel Rodriguez, Councilmember Jeffery Young, Jr. and our PHDC and DPD teams at for bringing all things housing directly to residents.

10/02/2026

The people of Kensington have faced enormous challenges for far too long, and they deserve sustained investment in their neighborhood. We have made important progress on public safety, quality of life and connecting residents to care, but we know there is much more work ahead.

On my 1,000th day as Mayor, I was proud to stand with the Kensington community as we take another step forward with a $21.7 million investment in a safe, modern and accessible library, park, and playground from Rebuild Philadelphia, Capital Program Office, and Free Library of Philadelphia at McPherson Square.

We are investing in the entire square because the people who live here should be able to use and enjoy all of it. This should be a place Kensington can be proud of. The people of this neighborhood deserve that, and we are going to deliver it. �
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Thank you to the Councilmember Quetcy Lozada, Rep Jose Giral, Senator Christine Tartaglione and Jose Figueroa, the William Penn Foundation, Mattleman Foundation, Casey O’ Donnell and our partners at Impact Services, including the Community Connectors, and to the many neighborhood partners, including Friends of McPherson Square, Fab Youth Philly, Talking Drums, The Simple Way, Let’s Go Outdoors Philly, Cantina La Martina, and so many others who have stayed connected to uplifting this work and community.�

The Kensington community should feel that City government is working for them, investing in them and staying with them. We have more work to do. And we are committed to getting it done.

10/02/2026

The hateful and degrading remarks attributed to a member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives have no place in our Commonwealth, in our public institutions, or anywhere in our civic life.

Homophobic rhetoric is unacceptable. For generations, LGBTQ+ people have endured stigma, discrimination, and cruelty. It is the responsibility of public officials to confront those stigmas, not perpetuate them.

I want to affirm that Representative Malcolm Kenyatta is a son of Philadelphia and a dedicated public servant who represents his constituents and our city with pride. I stand with Malcolm and with LGBTQ+ Philadelphians, who should never have to question whether they will be treated with dignity and respect because of who they are.

Disagreement is part of democracy. Hate should never be. Philadelphia will continue to stand firmly against homophobia, discrimination, and rhetoric that seeks to demean people because of their identity.

Our city is strongest when every person knows that they belong, that their dignity matters, and that their government will stand up against hate.